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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans for nearly $1.8 billion in federal aid, the first installment the city will receive from the federal Hurricane Sandy relief package. The plans include home repairs, business loans and other initiatives designed to help properties withstand future storms. City officials said they are hopeful that the plans will be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and implemented by April or May.

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As many as 1,100 homeowners in New Jersey could receive grants of up to $150,000 to help rebuild properties affected by Hurricane Sandy. The administration of Gov. Chris Christie said it wants to transfer the funding from $110 million intended for a business-recovery loans. "We saw a need with folks on the wait list" and decided to pursue the reallocation because of uncertainty about future rounds of federal grant funding, said Lisa Ryan, spokeswoman for the Department of Community Affairs.

The process of rebuilding in areas affected by Superstorm Sandy could be hampered by the furlough of thousands of federal employees if the federal government shuts down. "If a grantee for Hurricane Sandy has money in the system, they can continue to draw down on that," said Jerry Brown, spokesman for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. "Beyond that, there will be no new money loaded until the employees are back. For all essential purposes, that office will be closed." The detailed plan issued by the Obama administration does not indicate if employees of the Small Business Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers, agencies playing key roles in the reconstruction underway at the Jersey Shore, will be furloughed.

Of the $1.83 billion in post-Sandy, federal recovery aid for New Jersey, half will be spent to assist homeowners and business owners whose properties were damaged during the hurricane. Some of the money will be used to provide grants and loans for eligible residents for flood mitigation, resettlement, rebuilding and construction of new housing units, which is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Sequestration cuts that may take effect on Friday, would sharply slow rebuilding from superstorm Sandy in New Jersey, New York and other states. "The sequestration could slow down reviews for permits needed before you can begin reconstruction," said Brian Turmail with the Associated General Contractors of America. He said that potential cuts to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Housing and Urban Development could pose challenges in getting timely approval for reconstruction projects.

About a quarter of New Jersey residents say they're very pleased with how the state is recovering after Hurricane Sandy, while 45% said they are somewhat satisfied. The poll by Monmouth University and the Asbury Park Press also showed that 51% of respondents are somewhat confident that the state will wisely use its share of federal relief funds, and 13% said they are very confident.